CAF signs contracts for the construction of the northern hub in Panama

He Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) they signed the respective contracts for the start of work on the construction of a symbolic building in Panama, which will serve the countries Northern region.

It is about two contracts: the first between a multilateral organization and an architectural firm Mallol & Mallol Architects; and, secondly, with Manhattan PM Panama INC. Both companies were selected at the International Public Tender that the institution announced in 2014, in which 21 companies from 8 countries participated.

Executive Chairman CAF, Serigo Diaz-Granadoshe explained that “this Northern hub He thinks about the integration of Latin America and the Caribbean”; while – evoking the return of Chile as a full multilateral member a week ago; the entry of El Salvador in 2022 and the upcoming entry of Honduras – he estimated that “the growth towards the Caribbean will mean that this northern hub will have a much stronger coverage and articulating role than we imagined.”

Given the outlook for 2030, with the bank projected to double its size in terms of portfolio, increase its representation in blue, green and orange economy issues; “This building will help consolidate work CAF for all of Latin America and the Caribbeanusing the connectivity capacity that Panama has,” Díaz-Granados added.

Representative of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia in Panama, Lucia Mezashe quoted the words of teacher Carlos Cruz Diez when he found out about the project: “It will be important that this public space offers an event for people”, for which she supported that proposal and confirmed that from the institution “we hope that the spaces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia in Panama recount the good events regarding the development of the country in the future”.

for his part, Alberto Alemán Zubieta, representative of Manhattan PM Panama INC. He thanked the Croatian Armed Forces and assured that “we will invest all our efforts and intellect in order to be coordinated as a team, with the same mission, in order to make this project successful.”

In the national team Mallol & Mallol Architects, Ignacio Mallol said: “We had a sensational design process where ideas were valued, and the value of those ideas turns this building into an engine of equality, opportunity and representation of CAF as a transformational entity in the city and community. We will build a building that will be an excellent workspace for a large number of associates from various parts of the world, who will come to do their work and live in the community. It will be a representative building from today and forever in Panama and any part of Latin America and the Caribbean”.

Executive President CAF, Sergio Diaz-Granados testified at the signing of the contract signed by Alberto Alemán Zubieta, representative of Manhattan PM Panama INC.; Ignacio Mallol A. of Mallol & Mallol Arquitectos; Lucía Meza, representative of the Croatian Armed Forces in Panama; Decia Paradisi, director of development and maintenance of the physical infrastructure of the Croatian Armed Forces; and Jorge Silva, the bank’s legal advisor.

The company’s office building located in Obarrio area in Panama City, consists of 6 above-ground floors with a capacity for 250 workplaces and 4 underground parking floors with a capacity of 259 parking spaces; Additionally, it includes spaces such as an auditorium, an art gallery, a semi-public square and a green roof. The construction phase will begin this year, and completion is expected in 2026.

It is proposed to build a teaching of 22,000 m² of building with the following distribution:
• 7,500 m² office space
• 4,000 m² of Public Program
• Audience
• Art gallery
• Coffee center
• Public amphitheater
• Among other spaces
• 10,500 m² of parking.

In order for the building to materialize, some sustainability assumptions have been defined, among which the green roof stands out, which will be complemented by a rainwater collection system, which will be for sanitary use and irrigation; lighting will have a control system search for efficiency and energy savings; and the structure will be certified in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) awarded by American Green Building Council.